Nikolas Tombazis: 2026 F1 car criticism ‘premature’

Nikolas Tombazis has moved to calm growing unease among Formula 1 drivers about the sport’s incoming 2026 rules package.

Several top names have complained that early simulator runs of the new hybrids show a loss of battery deployment halfway down straights, forcing drivers to back off to save energy rather than focus on outright pace, but the FIA’s single-seater chief told Auto Motor und Sport: “We haven’t finalised the rules yet. We’ve known about the problems from day one and have gradually addressed and resolved them.

"Between now and the start of next season we’ll implement a few more measures to improve energy flow and ensure the cars don’t suddenly decelerate on the straights or do anything else unnatural. Many of the comments about how the cars behave are premature. The product isn’t finished yet.”

Tombazis admitted “not all teams and engine manufacturers are equally transparent” with data, but insisted “there’s overall agreement on how to solve the problems”.

He also made clear that the headline targets - 400kW from the combustion engine and 350kW from the battery - are “set in stone”.

“There’s no interest in turning Formula 1 into a chess game of the best energy strategies,” he said. “We don’t want them to deliberately ease off the accelerator while driving to store energy. A top driver must understand energy management, but the main task will remain braking at the right point, cornering as quickly as possible, and accelerating optimally.”

Lap times will initially be 1 to 2.5 seconds slower, according to FIA simulations, but Tombazis expects teams to quickly close the gap. A “boost button” will replace DRS, with settings adapted for each track.

He also ruled out a repeat of 2014-style domination, pointing to new cost-cap provisions and “additional development opportunities” for underperforming manufacturers.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, however, suggested Brackley is already well prepared: “We will finally get rid of these ground-effect cars that didn’t really work for us, and a completely new engine.

"Our development has been focused on this project for a long time. I believe the second half of the season can be strong, while all the research and development is focused on next year’s car.”